Everybody's got their thing, but I've always wondered that once you reach the point where you are randonneuring, why not just go out for a really long ride? Why does that undertaking need any organization, scoring, patches, any of that stuff?

@ ChinookPass --The social aspect to randonneuring is important for some folks. Most of my rides are solo, and I prefer it that way, but I have a couple of friends who basically won't ride by themselves. For me, the idea of riding with a large group, many of whom can't ride a straight line, holds no attraction.

It was a good article, however. I'm all for anything that presents cycling in a positive light.